Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder seen in women of reproductive age. The ovaries get enlarged due to numerous small cysts erupting along their outer edge, making them polycystic in appearance.

The effects of PCOS are:

Infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods

Excess body hair growth

Acne

Obesity

In adolescents, the disorder represents the following symptoms:

Infrequent or absent menstruation

Hair loss

Unexplained weight gain

In women past adolescence, the symptoms could be:

Difficulty in conception

Unexplained weight gain

Other signs and symptoms of PCOS include:

Oily skin

Elevated insulin levels

Skin discolouration

High levels of cholesterol

Increased blood pressure

Tests And Diagnosis

The diagnosis of PCOS is generally made on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms. There is no specific test as such to diagnose PCOS. The diagnosis is also based on exclusion, which means the physician considers all the signs and symptoms and then rules out other possible disorders.

During this process, the doctor could also take into account other factors such as:

Medical history of the patient

Physical examination

Pelvic examination

Blood tests

Pelvic ultrasound

Treatments And Drugs

The treatment of PCOS depends partially on the woman’s age and stage in life. For younger women who desire birth control, the birth control pills, especially with low androgenic side effects, could cause regular periods and prevent the risk of uterine cancer.

The other option could be intermittent therapy with the treatment of progesterone. Polycystic ovary syndrome treatment generally focuses on management of individual concerns of the women such as infertility, hirsutism, acne or obesity.

Surgery

If medications do not work, an outpatient surgery called laparoscopic ovarian drilling could be suggested by the doctor to induce ovulation, which can be performed at Apollo Cradle, under expert supervision.